2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Cargo room (wagon)
- Instruments/controls
Cons
- Noise
- Acceleration (auto. trans.)
Vehicle Highlights
Suzuki added a South Korean-built compact sedan to supplement its Japanese-built Aerio models for 2004. Forenza came in S, LX, and top-line EX models. All had a 2.0-liter 4-cyl engine and 4-wheel disc brakes. Automatic transmission was standard for the EX, optional for S and LX in place of manual. ABS was available for all, but side airbags were not offered. Standard on all Forenzas were air conditioning, heated power mirrors, power windows and locks, tilt steering wheel, CD/cassette stereo with steering-wheel controls, and 15-inch wheels. The LX added alloy wheels and cruise control, keyless entry, power sunroof, and fog lights. EX had leather upholstery instead of cloth. Like other Suzukis, Forenza carried a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty that included roadside assistance, and transferable 7/70,000 powertrain coverage with provision for a free loaner car. Forenza was designed by the bankrupt Daewoo Motor Company, Ltd., and was assembled by GM Daewoo Automotive Technologies, which was formed by General Motors after it bought parts of Daewoo. GM also owned a stake in Suzuki.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Suzuki Forenza sedan, auto. Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 43 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza.
Year to Year Changes
2005 Suzuki Forenza:
A wagon version of the Forenza was added, along with a 4-door hatchback called the Reno (see separate report). Front side airbags were made standard on all models.
2006 Suzuki Forenza:
Model names were changed to Base and Premium. Base equipment was similar to that of the former S, Premium's was similar to the former LX but added ABS. Leather upholstery was no longer available.
2007 Suzuki Forenza:
Forenza carried over unchanged.
2008 Suzuki Forenza:
The 2008 Suzuki Forenza was largely unchanged for what is likely this compact car's final model year.
Our road test for the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
A sedan equipped with an automatic transmission is the only Forenza made available for testing. Good progress from a stop fades to modest acceleration as speed rises. The transmission downshifts very quickly for more power, but requires a hard shove on the throttle and results in more noise than progress at higher speeds. The test EX averaged 17.8 mpg in mostly city driving. Suzuki recommends regular-grade fuel. The ride is somewhat stiff and bouncy, and bigger bumps jostle occupants, putting Forenza below the best in this class for comfort. Steering is light and responsive, but there's noticeable body lean even at modest cornering speeds. Four-wheel disc brakes provide fine pedal feel, and ABS is available on all models. The engine roars under acceleration and turns buzzy at higher speeds. There's some pounding over bumps, and highway speeds induce a fair amount of wind noise. Audio and climate controls are clear and easy to reach and use, though they're mounted just a bit low. Materials impress for the price. There's plenty of front head and leg room, even for taller folks, and the standard tilt steering wheel and height-adjustable driver seat allow most people to find a comfortable driving position. Visibility is better than average for a sedan. In back, there's adequate head, leg, and toe room for adults as long as the front seats aren't more than halfway back. Entry/exit is good for a compact. The wide trunklid has a low liftover, but trunk capacity is slightly below average for the class.
Value for the Money
Forenza comes with a host of standard features and offers better interior space than most compacts. It falls behind competitors in performance and refinement, but prices should be lower than those of most rivals on the used-car market, and Suzuki's transferable warranty is a plus.
Forenza comes with a host of standard features and offers better interior space than most compacts. It falls behind competitors in performance and refinement, but prices should be lower than those of most rivals on the used-car market, and Suzuki's transferable warranty is a plus.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Suzuki Forenza sedan, auto. Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 3 | |
| Fuel Economy | 5 | |
| Ride Quality | 5 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 5 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 4 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 43 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Suzuki Forenza includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Suzuki Forenza .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Brake noise:
Rear brake noises are corrected by installing revised brake pad springs on the calipers. (2004-05)
Cold-starting problems:
The idle may jump to as high as 2,000 rpm when coming to a stop on vehicles with manual transmissions, or it may idle rough or stall with an automatic while the engine is cold after cold soak, requiring a computer flash. (2004-05)
Door handles:
There was a dealer campaign to replace the inside plastic door handles (not chrome) for breakage. (2006)
Electrical problem:
The key may not come out of the ignition lock due to a problem with the shifter lever not making electrical contact when shifted into park. (2004-06)
Electrical problem:
Damaged insulation on wiring harness between left fender and its liner results in short or opens, causing various components (from lights, fuel pump, rear defogger, etc.--about 40 circuits in all) to quit working. (2004-05)
Oil consumption:
Excessive oil consumption and blue smoke from the exhaust may be due to a broken or missing PCV restrictor in the valve cover requiring a new valve cover. (2006)
Transmission problems:
Harsh 3-4 downshift on automatic transmission, accompanied by a check engine light, requires reprogramming the transmission control unit (2004-05) and reprogramming is also needed to correct a harsh 2-1 downshift when coming to a stop. (2004)
Valve cover leaks:
Valve cover gasket may leak and an improved gasket is available. (2004)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $600 |
| Alternator | $710 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $3,105 |
| Brakes | $325 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $830 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $930 |
| Exhaust System | $440 |
| Radiator | $650 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $720 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $600 |
Our price chart for this generation Suzuki Forenza details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| Forenza | $10,000-11,500 | $9,000-10,400 | $5,200-6,000 |
| 2007 | |||
| Forenza | $7,700-9,000 | $6,900-8,100 | $3,900-4,500 |
| 2006 | |||
| Forenza | $6,100-7,000 | $5,300-6,100 | $2,600-3,000 |
| Forenza Premium | $6,600-7,400 | $5,800-6,500 | $3,000-3,400 |
| 2005 | |||
| Forenza | $4,900-6,200 | $4,200-5,300 | $1,900-2,400 |
| Forenza EX | $6,000-6,700 | $5,200-5,800 | $2,500-2,800 |
| 2004 | |||
| Forenza | $4,200-5,500 | $3,400-4,500 | $1,400-1,900 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Suzuki Forenza include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 4-door compact car | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 102.4 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 177.2 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 67.9 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 56.9 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2701 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 12.4 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 14.5 | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.1 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.0 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.8 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 36.7 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
A 2.0-liter 126-hp 4-cylinder engine with 131 lb-ft of torque was offered with 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 2.0 / 122 | 126 | 131 | 5-speed manual: 24/31 4-speed automatic: 22/30 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 17.8 |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Suzuki Forenza include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 204 Forenza |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2004-2008 Suzuki Forenza directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2004 Forenza:
A malfunctioning brake-light switch could cause the brake lights to remain on, even without the driver's foot on the brake pedal. Following drivers would not be able to tell when the brakes had been applied, which could result in a crash. Dealer will replace brake-light switch.
2004-2006:
Headlamp low-beam or Daytime Running Lights function may be inoperative due to a melted splice pack on the wiring harness. Dealers will splice the power circuit wires for the low-beam headlamps and daytime running lamps.
2006-07:
The front seat belt tongue will not latch into the buckle and, in rare cases, even the locked tongue will pop out by low stretching force. Dealers will replace the front driver and passenger seat belt buckles with the improved part.
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